Paramore’s Self-Titled Album: Review Revue

A revamped, reinvigorated Paramore returned with their self-titled album today (April 9), and it serves as a mission statement for the next phase of the band. The band displays a sense of experimentation and unpredictability on Paramore that wasn’t necessarily present on their previous releases, and the record effectively propels them beyond pop-punk pigeonholing. We called the album “unquestionably the group’s most sonically varied and ambitious offering,” adding that it “still manages to soar with eruptive hooks.”

For the most part, commentary across the Web is echoing those sentiments: the band is rocking harder, better, faster and stronger now than ever before. Check out our roundup of reviews after the jump.

:: Billboard felt it was a strong, well-rounded effort. “Though content-wise not much has changed, musically they have grown plenty[…] their chops on both guitars and drums have been upped several notches. So has their ability to blend genres: songs swirl with hints of R&B, country, and hard rock on their latest effort, but it’s still as accessible as any of their other albums.”

:: The New York Times argue the band moved “beyond pop-punk without abandoning momentum or the big, catchy chorus.” The paper also highlighted Hayley Williams‘ maturity, saying “Another grown-up side of the album is in Ms. Williams’s vocals, which have taken on subtleties beyond her early brattiness and plaints, and in an emerging sense of humor.”

:: SPIN handed out an 8/10, calling it “an ambitious album by necessity: It’s the test that the band still exists. They do[…] This is their longest album and has the highest stakes, and succeeds.”

:: All Music scored Paramore a 4.5/5, and absolutely raved about the record in the process: “Easily the band’s most adventurous, experimental, and accomplished release to date, Paramore’s fourth studio album[…] is a landmark, a genre-breaking masterwork.”

:: Absolute Punk graded it a healthy 8/10, reveling in the band’s decision to explore “their every sonic whim.” While the reviewer found it could be a bit exhausting, he ultimately concludes, “leave it to Paramore to somehow make an unfocused record endearing in its youthful approach.”

:: For NME, the album notched a 7/10. “Paramore have always been more pop than their fans may like to admit, and this mainstream rebirth feels like a transitional step to something gigantic.”

:: The Brits at The Guardian were the roughest of the bunch, but still handed out a respectable 3/5, saying there are “unremarkable ballads, but there’s also a new willingness to try other genres. The results are mixed.”

What do you think of Paramore’s self-titled album? Hit us up below with your thoughts, or let us know on Facebook and Twitter!